Eddie's #11

Eddie is 11!  We spent the morning opening presents and watching a movie, the afternoon swimming at the rec center, and the evening together.

"EBBE" I guess Molly totally forgot how to write his name, though she writes it correctly almost everyday.  Maisie had a nice time calling him, "Ebbe" all day.

Gifts including everything wrestling and a 3D pen made his every happy.

Eddie ordered pancake art for breakfast.

He made hearts especially for me.

For over two hours these swimmers kept the lifeguards on alert.  They did look like they were going to crowd the slide, splash the geriatric walkers and dump water on the toddlers, but they didn't.  Instead they played their own kinds of games that were appropirate and non death defying.

After wrestling practice (football, tennis, piano and weights by the others) we came together for homemade pizza and a s'mores charcuterie.  We even roasted the mallows tableside.

He seemed quite pleased.

Happy Birthday 2023

Eddie's Interview 2016

It kind of hurts when I peek back into our lives together just seven years ago.  All the same things that were happening then are happening now:  Eddie is just so darling on an off the camera.  He doesn't eneunciate his words clearly, but his smile communicates everything.  Eddie used to be the tiniest little boy, and he is still the tiniest middle boy.  He wrestles fiercely on the mat and with math.  Once he finally jumps the hurtle of having to start to get done what he doesn't want to do,  he finishes quickly.  He's often silent in his strategy and loud in responce to Nick's teasing.  Eddie carries every musical number both in church and during family choir.  His greatest moments for himself are when he engineers and creates using blocks, legos, his 3D pen, his fancy Bianyo markers and rocks.  Lately I've found him working alongside Austin and just watching the problem solving in action.  This boy will never be the tallest boy in stature, but will always be the tallest in character.

A COLD SPRING

It's still cold, wet and rainy here.  I often feel so sad for the dainty blossoms that bloom early and have to survive the bitterness of winter temperatures.  Yet, we still sing the popcorn song all around town.

Maddie twisted her ankle very badly at the ninja gym.  She's injured and limping, again.  Poor, girl.

Eddie's wrestling banquet was awesome.  He coach said, "This wrestler is 'this' close to winning all of his matches."  It's quite true.  He's so good.  The big kids were loud and rude.  The little kids were loud and rude.  Obviously, I haven't taught them banquet manners.  

The sun is up on our way to seminary again.  Nick's driving is coming along nicely.  It's so sweet spending the morning with him.  He's so good and true -- and hysterically funny.

Lunch has found us learning about Mt. Rushmore, Ronald Regan and Neil Armstrong (we've exhausted the Mark Rober channel).

Maisie's cap and gown arrived.  She's so ready to move on and be done.  I love watching her prance, but I'm trying hard not to miss her already.  She's my workout buddy in the afternoons and sous chef in the evening.  She serves Molly her food every meal, and she sweeps with purpose (she's the only one since Meg left).

Molly's letter to Grandma Goodell is so good.

I found this little illustration on her feet during CFM.  This is a depiction of night and day.

More beautiful trees.

Stopping to take a drink before dinner prep began.

Saturday I spent the ENTIRE day preparing and presenting the Seder Feast for the 100 youth in our stake.  It was a huge endeavor, and not all the youth took advantage of the spiritual significance of the event, but Maddie testified of her new growth the next day in testimony meeting.  I decided that if I spent close to 30+ hours simply for my three children to feel a connection and increase their testimonies with Jesus Christ, then it was worth it.

Here I am the next day with a ponytail and winter clothes.  I was exhausted from all my efforts, but I did feel that my offering to bring the youth to Him was accepted by the Lord.

Nick turns 16 in a few weeks.  You're invited!  Text him if you can come.

Sunday evening we settled in for a cozy evening at Grandma's house.  Molly dressed me up.  I didn't get the pictures of Austin checking out Grandpa's new shed, of Grandma feeding us little cups of ice creams, or of Maisie curled up in a blanket reading.

Melijah are still in Cancun.  They look more and more tan and rested everyday when we talk.  I sang Meg my favorite mother's lulluby, "It's You, I Like.'" and she cried.  My first new born baby still needs my love and prayers, and I need hers.

Elder Babcock's report is that his new garments arrived along with his mechanical toothbrush.  He taught about needing a witness of a witness -- it's not just one time that we have a singular spiritual experience, but after the Holy Ghost often testifies of the truthfulness of that experience.  He also reported, "I spent $31 from my personal funds on a haircut that is not even awesome."  P-day usually brings a two hour nap.  He often giggles about Nick torturing Maisie about me catching her throwing away the lunch I make her.  (I'm no longer making her a lunch.). Both Meg and Andy think it's so funny that she's still repeating her 3rd grade behavior.

Spring Break 2023

We spent spring break in St. George doing something fun everday.  Our friends, the Bliss family, joined our fun, and we love them.

After eating in the sunshine of the Glen Canyon dam, we stopped and hiked a bit on less common trails.  Watching the children scale rocks and run along cliff edges makes me so happy to just live.

Tuesday was our ski day.  Brain Head had tons of record snow, so we spent the day there.

It was a bit colder than we were used to, Ryan stood too close to the fire pit and singed his hair and lashes.  Look closely.  Molly and I got cold and retreated into the car.

This was our view from inside the bus.  We watched our people go up and down several times.  They ski so well.

Tired, stiff and cold bodies needed a bit of pilates to smooth everything out.

Wednesday we planned a temple trip in Cedar City.  Natalie and her family were visiting John, and that's where I stayed with the littles during the baptisms.

Natalie and I helped milk John's two cows.  By "helped," I mean we sang encouraging songs about horses and livestock.  We tried to soothe and love the mammalian mammas, hoping that the cows would let down their milk.  It worked.

The day was straight rain, so we landed at the roller rink.

I have a few new tricks, but no one videoed them.  Next time.  By that I mean that I love roller skating the most, so it just might be at my birthday party in December.

Thursday we spent the day in Zion National Park.  We got permits to hike Angel's Landing.  We all made it to the top, even Molly, though Austing used his vise grip on her coat during the chains portion.

The sun shone so brightly on us all, and we couldn't help but feel happy and connected.

Friday we went mountain biking.  Austin stayed with Molly and she rode along side us all.

The downhill miles back to the car were thrilling.  Here are Eddie's bike - ing skills.

Off to the ninja warrior gym for the evening hours.

I was really impressed by the athleticism of my little darlings.  They had a blast.  We tried to convince Austin to make us a Spartan rig.

Look at the name of this road.  I'm pretty much famous.

Saturday we arrived home to laundry, lists and life.  I did stop and actually do something not on my "get done today list": I made sure spring had sprung on my front porch.  I planted these cute yellow flowers and hung my carrot swag.  

I coo at it often.

Sunday I began Seder preparation by organizing and handing out the food.

Sunday afternoon Grandpa came for dinner (Grandma is in Texas with Whitni and her family).  I walked in after my meetings, and his grandchildren were huddled up on his lap and he was holding, listening and loving.  He doesn't miss a chance to testify of Jesus Christ, and we are blessed to hear his witness.

Meg and Elijah are in Cancun.  They are trying to stay in the shade, but they still soak up the sun in the shade.  Their youth and beauty shines through the phone as we chat.  

Andy's mission president called me, and I missed it.  AH! He then texted me, and told me that Andy is serving and teaching the missionarries in the TN mission.  President Galland's message felt like he was speaking for the Savior.  Andy's work and obedience to the Lord and His work is not going unnoticed.  All I know is that this mother has been practically holding her breath for 14 months, and she'll finally exhale when he steps off that plane and he's in my arms.